Electric-light support.



.T.GRAY. vJELEGIRIG LIGHT SUPPORT. u APPLIIOATION FILED 00T.1, 1908',

Patented Sepa 2'?, 1910.

, THOMAS GRAY, or Borsato, NEW. YORK.

. ELECTRIC-LIGHT SUPPORT.

. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

Application led October 1, 1906. Serial No. 336,944.I

To all 'whom/it may concern: Beit known that I, THOMAS GRAY, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in' Electric-Light Sup- .l io

ports, of which the following is a' specification. This invention relates to an improved suport for electric lights of the kind known as incandescent lights. The principal object of this invention is to Y ive the li ht a universaladjustment wherey the wor (er can with one movement of the hand, instantlybrinfr the'light into any de sired position over the work -bench or table so that the light will be placed ifi-the best possible (position with respect Vto -the work and rigi .movement l held `there aga-inst vinvoluntary by gravity.

The invention also relates to certain details of construction all of which will-be fully and clearly hereinafter 4described and 'claimed referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in which,-.

Figure l, is a side view of the improved support depending from a ceiling showing the light elevated to its highest position. In f this figure the support is also shown in dotted lines as extended and swung to one .side to bring the light close to the work. Fig. 2, is an enlarged fragmentary central longitudinal section through the upper portion ofthe support showing the construction of the umversa-l joint and the friction lock for locking the members of the extensible support together, the-ball member of` the universal joint being shown in full. Fig. 3, is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the lower portion of the extensible support taken at right angles to the view shown. 1n Fig.. 1. Fig.l 4,is-an' enlarged cross section on line a-a, Fig. 1. Fig. 5, is a detached inside view -of one half of the socket member of the universal joint. Fig. 6, is a detached view of one of the springs for rictionally locking the two members of the extensible support together. Fig. 7, is a side view of one incinber of the lower universal joint formed so as to hold the light in a vertical position.

In referring to the drawings for the details of construction like numerals designate like parts.

Thesupport, which variable in length is secured at its upper end to the ceiling byfa.

universal joint, and consists of two members or bars, an upper member 1, and a lower member 2, formed of wood or similar light material and which are substantially vof the same len th. togethery means of spring locking devices formed as shown in Fig. 2.

Rectangular straps 3 Vand 4.-, of suitable metal are fastened by screws to the bars, 1

and 2, being placed oppositely to eachother and fastened respectively to the lower endA of the upper member and to the upper end of the lower member nthe manner shown in Fig. 1. Each of the straps 3 and 4,' l'is made suiiiciently long so as to provide 'a-70Q space 5, between the top thereof and the ad'- i jacent surface of vthe bar. A curved spring', 6, formed as shown in Fig. 2, is located in, this space and is held against displacement by the sides of the stra s which fit in notches 7, in the side edfes o the spring (see Fig. l 4.) The endsoi the springs bear against, the bars 1 and 2, and frictionally lock them together against involuntary movement.

The springs 6, are tensioned by set screws'8, 80

which screw through the tops of the straps 3 and 4, and provide means for taking up wear.

The light is secured to the lower end of the lower member 2, b v meansV of a universal joint constructed as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.'

A channeled plate 9 of L-shape receives. and is fastened to the lower extremity of the bar 2, by bolts and said plate has a ball 10',`

attached thereto by a stem 11, so that it is centrally and vertically positioned beneath the end of the bar. This constitutes the ball member of the universal or ball and socket -joint connecting the bar to the light holding clamp. made in two halves 12, which are secured together by a volt 13; and are provided with (lished upper ends 14, which form the socket and partially surround and grip the ball 10.

' The two portions 12, of the light holding 100 clamp are forced toward cach other so that' the dished portions 14, grip thebilll and prevent Iinvoluntary turning of the clamp, by spiral springs 15, which encircle the projectin,"r ends of a bolt- 16", passed through the 105 portions 12. Those springs are tensioned by Soren-'ing u p the nut on the bolt'aiid so provide means for taking up the wenn 'l`hilower ends of the portions 12, are curved to form a pair or vertical jaws 17,

These bars are frictionally held 50 The light holding clamp is 95 lx13 andV ieldinglynclamped tot "bytthe olt 16 so that the. sprin in which the socket of the light is laced, saidv portions being clamped around t e lightby the bolt 13. I

The light holding clamp is immovably` secured to f the electriclight b the'bolt he ball 10, l of the metal .strips connecting the curve ends to the,dished ends of the "clamp members is utilized in addition to the' spring 15on the bolt' 16.to frictionally clamp the'ball be# tween the dished ends.

Ilhe current conducting wire 19, extends upwardly from the lamp and is fastened to .an insulated stud or support 20,. secured at or near the upper-end of the lower member 2, vof the'extensible Support. From the insulated stud 20, the wire `extends to and is fastened to a plug 21, attached to ,the ceiling or wall and .from 'me connection plug 21, to any suitable source ofsupply of electricity.

-The wire -between* the insulated stud-20, andthe'plug 21, is looped as lshown at 22 in Fig. 1,.So as to be otisutli'cien't length to per- Vmit the longitudinal adjustment of the bars of thesupport T he purposeof placing an' insulated stud 20, at'0`r near the upper endof the lower suppartis to prevent the wire hanging belowT Athe electric light vand thusavoid the danger of catching 4upon the-same.

A' bracket 23, which' is adapted to be attached tothe ceilinv orwell of a room or' Vothersuitable point by screws 24, vhas an en- 1arg"ed';ball. '25-which forms one member of a balland socketl joint or universal connection. '.Theother or socket member ofthe ball and-'socket joint is attached to one end bfoneof" the bars and is ,formed in two channeled half portions 26, which are subst antilly duplicates and are secured to the end. of the ta' ered extremity la.

. dished Apart 2 8, which forms one half ofthe ar by a bolt 27 beneath its ach dithe half portions -has an enlarged` socket m which the ban 25, is heid. The

two ortions are forced toward each other to frictionally grip the ball and thus prevent involuntary turning by' spiral springs 29,

mounted upon the opposite projecting ends of a vbolt 30, passing transversely through thetwo portions.

The springs are suiiiciently strong to hold the support 1n any position to which it may be turned so that the light will be held stationary and also serve to take up any wear in the ball and socket joint.

It will be observed by referring to Figs. 1 and 2 that two springs .29' are employed which are mounte upon o posite ends of. the bolt 30. By'this means b'othfof the hali:l portions of the socket member 'are independentl'y tensioned or pressed toward each other by separate springs to embrace the ball "stud, 'a rectangular 25 between them. This not only provides a strong clamping actionsuiiicient toj rictiom' ally grip and retain the arm in an position to which it may be adjusted but a so allows-4 enough range of movement to ermit the two portions to be separated sufficiently by a suitable tool. to release them from the ball without disturbing theadjustment of the bolt 30. z In the form of light holdinr clamp shown 1n Fig. 7, the lower` ends of the portions 12 Iare bent at rightangles to said` portions thereby forming al palr of horizontal jaws in which the lamp 1s heldin vertical posi tion. y

The'main advantages of this device are that it is adjustable both in length and at an angle, and that the light can be arranged at any elevation and any angle within therange of movement of the support and will be held immovably and without vibration in its adjusted position.

I claim as my invention- 1. A light support comprising a bracket formed with an upper ball member, a socket member consisting of a pair of half portions each formed with an enlarged dished pait providing a socket embracing'the ball, an f upper bar having its upperend seate'd bel tween the half/portions, means securing the socket member iiXedlyto the upper -bar -beneath its upper end, a spring bolt securing the half portions yieldingly togetherbe` tween the dished parts and its upper end, a lower bar, an upper stra embracing the upper and lower bars an securedto 'the upper end of the lower bar, a-lower strap embracing the upper and lower bars and se-- cunrcd to the lower end of the upper bar, a plate formed with a lower ball member and secured to the lower end pf the lower bar, a holding clamp consisting of two halves each formed with an enlarged dished end roviding a .socket embracingthe lower all member and a curved jaw .providing a clamp, means securing thetwo halves ixediy together at the jaws and a"spring bolt lsecuring the two halves yieldingly together.

' 2. A light support comprising a bracket formed with an upper`ball member, a socket member consisting of a pair of channeled half portions, each formed with en enlarged, dished part providing a socket embracing the ball, an upper bar having its upper en seated between the half ortions, aolt securing the socketme'm er ixedly to the upper and lower bars and securing the upper end of the lower bar, a rectangular strap embracing the upper and-lower bars and s'ecured to the lower end of the upper bar, a

iso

1 channeled plate to the lower `bar,a holding clamp consisting of two halves each formed with an enlarged dished end providing a socket embracing the lower ball member and a curved jaw providing a' clamp, a bolt securing the two halves xedly together at the jaws, a spring bolt securing the two halves yieldably together at the upper ldished ends, a connection plug, a light socket and a wire having means for supporting it upon the insulated stud and leadingtrom the connec-l` tion plug to the light socket. 3. A lightsupport comprising a bracket formed with an upper ball member, a socket member consisting of a airof channeled half portions each forme with an enlarged dished part providing a socket embracing the ball, an upper bar having a tapered upper end seated between the half portions, a bolt securing the socket member xedly to the upper bar beneatlfthe tapered end, a spring bolt securing the half portions yieldingly together between the dished parts and the tapered upper end, a lower bar having an insulated stud, a rectangular upper strap Vembracing the upper and lower bars and secured to the upper end of the lower bar, a

' curved upper spring located between the upv located between Vthe lower strap an per strap and the upper bar, and formed with notches receiving the sides of the strap, a set screw in the top of the upper strap and taking up the wear of the upper spring,'a rectangular lower strap embracing theup-` per and lower bars and secured tothe lower endof 'the upper bar, a curved lower s riilig t ie lower bar, and formed with notches receiv- ,ing the sides of the lower strap, a set screw in the top of the lower strap and taking up the wear of the lower spring, an L-shaped channeled plate receiving the lower end of the lower bar and formed with a lower ball member, bolts securingthe channeledplate to the lower bar, a holding clamp consisting of two halves each formed with an enlarged dished end providing a socket embracing the lower ball member and a curved jaw providiiig` a clamp, a bolt securing the two halves xedly together at the jaws, and a spring bolt securing the two halves yieldingly together at the upper dished ends.

4. A light support comprising a bracket formed with an upper ball member, a socket member consisting of a air of channeled half portions each formedj dished part providing a Socket embracing the ball, an uppey bar having a tapered upper end seated b tweenthe half portions, a-

bolt securing the socket member iixedly to the upper bar beneath the tapered end, a spring bolt securingthe half portions yieldingly together between thedish'ed parts andy the tapered upper end, a lower bar having an insulated stud, a rectangular upper strap embracing the upper and lower bars and secured tothe upper end of the lower bar, a curved upper spring located between the upper strap and the upper bar, and formed with notches receiving the sides of the strap,

a set screw in the top of the upper strap,I -and taking up the wear of the upper spring,

a rectangular lower strap embracing the upper and lower bars and secured to the lower end of the upper bar, a curved lower s ring located between the lowerA strap` an lower bar, and formed with notches receiv-. ing the sides of the lower strap, 'a set screw in the to of the lower strap and taking up t e wear of the lower spring, an L-shaped channeled plate receiving the lower end of the lower bar and formed with a lower ball member, bolts securi'ng the channeled plate to the lowerbar,

a holding clamp consisting of two halves each formed with an enlarged dished end providing a socket embracing the lower ball member and a curved jaw providing a with an enlarged l the clamp, a bolt securing the two halves ixedly together at the jaws, a spring bolt se curing the two halves yieldingly together at the upper dished ends, a connection plug,

a light socket and a vwire having means for supporting it upon the insulated stud and leading from the connection plug to the light socket. *i i 'riioiiiis "GRAY, l Witnesses: ,4 L. M. SANGSTER,

GEO. A. NEUBAunn. 

